In 2008, Barack Obama made history when he was elected as the first black president of the United States. Now, former President Jimmy Carter says he believes the nation is ready to elect a homosexual leader.

"I don't know about the next election, but I think in the near future. Because, step-by-step, we have realized that this issue of homosexuality has the same adverse and progressive elements as when we dealt with the race issue 50 years ago, or 40 years ago. So I would say that the country is getting acclimated to a president who might be female, who might, obviously, now, be black, and who might be as well a gay person."

On The 'Situation Room' on CNN, Republican strategist Rich Galen responded, "I have spent much of my adult life not paying attention to any theory Jimmy Carter has...I think at some point it's not unlikely, sure."

Democratic strategist James Carville added, "I'm pretty sure we haven't had a female president, I'm less sure we haven't had a gay president. How do we know we haven't had one?"

What do you think about Carter's statement? Leave your comments below.